Ouch: Kelly Clarkson Slams Clive Davis In Open Letter To Fans

The Pop powerhouse has hit out at former label head Clive Davis following remarks the mogul made about working with her in his headline grabbing memoir ‘The Soundtrack Of My Life’

Though somewhat surprising given Davis’ level of seniority in the industry, the spat is not entirely shocking. For, the American Idol winner made no secret of her lack of satisfaction with Davis and the team handling her career in the immediate aftermath of her 2004 mega-seller ‘Breakaway’. Indeed, the project’s follow-up ‘My December’ saw tensions reach fever-pitch – resulting in the said album’s underperformance.

And while Clarkson’s return to prominence with 2009’s ‘All I Ever Wanted’ (and the slew of hits that followed) sent a message that any issues were now water under the bridge, the feud has seemingly been reignited.

So I just heard Clive Davis is releasing a memoir and spreading false information about me and my music. I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses and misinformation for myself and for my fans. It feels like a violation. Growing up is awesome because you learn you don’t have to cower to anyone – even Clive Davis.

First, he says I burst into “hysterical sobbing” in his office when he demanded Since You Been Gone be on my album. Not true at all. His stories and songs are mixed up. I did want more guitars added to the original demo and Clive did not. Max, Luke and I still fought for the bigger sound and we prevailed and I couldn’t be more proud of the life of that song. I resent him dampening that song in any way.

But, yes, I did cry in his office once. I cried after I played him a song I had written about my life called “Because Of You.” I cried because he hated it and told me verbatim that I was a “sh*tty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me.” He continued on about how the song didn’t rhyme and how I should just shut up and sing. This was devastating coming from a man who I, as a young girl, considered a musical hero and was so honored to work with. But I continued to fight for the song and the label relented. And it became a worldwide hit. He didn’t include that in the book.

He also goes on to say My December wasn’t successful because I co-penned the album and it didn’t have “pop hits”. Well, first let me say, I’ve co-penned many of my “pop hits.” Secondly, My December went platinum (It sold 20,000 less than All I Ever Wanted which followed My December.) Hardly a huge failure. Never Again, the ONLY single they released in the US from that record was a Top 10 hit. I am very proud of that and I have my fans to thank. But, again, what’s most interesting about his story is what he leaves out: He doesn’t mention how he stood up in front of his company at a convention and belittled me and my music and completely sabotaged the entire project. It never had a chance to reach it’s full potential. My December was an album I needed to make for myself for many reasons and the fact that I was so completely disregarded and disrespected was so disheartening, there really aren’t words to explain….

Anyway, I love my job. I love my music. I love my fans. I love my label and all of my professional relationships… now. And I am grateful for Clive for teaching me to know the difference.

Cheers to another amazing year! And, as always, thanks for listening!

KC

***********

Ms. Clarkson through a forest of shade!

Truth or otherwise, it’s refreshing to see act of Kelly’s caliber ditch the PC and tell it how she feels it. That said, we want to know: do you think Clarkson should be applauded for saying her mind or is she ungrateful/out of line? As ever, let us know what you think below…

Obviously she should speak her mind. I trust her more than Clive, and we all know what a jerk he is, regardless of his career.

I lost all respect I had for him when the pre grammy party went on, and this only adds to that, although I could understand of his perspective in regard to My December… But still… he should have supported her more.

Hahaha. Now this is some serious lipping. Well done Kelly for standing up for yourself. No one should say shitty stuff about another person, it’s just not right; even if you’re older, more experienced or in authority. I like the way she doesn’t say a bad thing about him, just states what seems like actual facts.

Wow Kelly Lol. She´s mad. Kudos to her if it´s true
All I can say is poor Whitney. These kids don´t know the pressure acts like Whitney, Michael or Mariah had to suffer. 20-30 years ago the industry (and the society) was way tougher. The game moved millions and millions and the standard and audiences taste was so high. These men acted like what they are: clever business men who know to build careers but also overwork their megastars beyond sane limits. Mediocrity was not allowed

I’m not comfortable with the “he said, she said, I said” celebrities are jumping on right now. We don’t need to know about your business meetings. People are dying out there, i’m just saying.

Clive Davis is a veteran, I think celebrities should respect music legends at least for their body of art. “Because of you” was a hit but she forgot to mention she had to polish it with the producers to get the final version. It’s safe to assume the earlier version was not great. The song still DOES lack a lil’ sumthing sumthing.

Now I remember she had some words for Ryan Tedder about Beyonce’s ‘Halo’ too.

She wouldn’t be talking if she had an album coming out soon, but because Stronger is on store shelves and already went platinum, she feels free to say anything. I think she’s asking for trouble when the time comes to release her next studio project.

My December is my favorite Kelly Clarkson Album. it stands as Pink’s Mizunderstood and changed her whole career. I loved the angry lyrics and the real band sound. Too bad. Still love kelly, but nothing like My December.

J: PLEASE, I know you hate gaga but Gaga read Kelly Osbourne down in her letter. Gaga is a smart business woman and active community leader. What does she need to take notes from?? Bye. I know the navy are always jealous of Gaga cuz she’s actually one of the few artists that are smart about her career and talented in this industry but oh well.
And nice letter, Kelly. She exposed him to filth! Lol.

I hope writing all that was worth her career, because Clive could easily have her blacklisted if he is as vindictive he could be. She’d end up being just like Monica, releasing albums out of contractual obligation — with zero label support. Sometimes ‘speaking your mind’ comes with a price.

You know, Ive NEVER been much of a fan of Clive’s. Yes he is responsible for Whitney’s extraterrestrial career (or a t least half of it, cuz the rest was all on her voice) but through all the years he’s mentored her, I feel like his main focus was only business. I mean, the whole way he handled her death was very PC and handled in a business type way like “the show must go on” and from then on I never felt he really cared for Whitney as much as he or others claimed. I now he cared more about Whitney the artist than the person. So this whole story on Kelly’s behalf I believe. Yes Clive is a musical legend in terms of his discoveries and producing and whatnot, but when it comes down to it, he’s no more than a moy hungry controlling musical tyrant.

It’s funny people are attacking Clive because at a music business conference, one presenter ( a exec at a label) said Clive Davis was the ONLY exec left that gave a damn about the music and the musician. So if he’s as evil as everyone thinks, the rest must be absolutely horrendous! This music BUSINESS is cut throat.

And the truth lies somewhere in between, say what you want about Clive but he has a record, I am sure like most execs he has some sh*t with him but he is still one of the most credible in the business and when you are a young celeb who has never dealt with the industry you need to have some humility and listen to the people who know what they are doing, Kelly has always struck me as very rude and cocky and people on twitter may be cheering her on with this but she better remember once the industry black list you you are done, so she may want to watch it because Clive has a whole lot of loyals in the industry, and when those people that are cheering you on are gone about their business you will still have to work with these people in the industry, these younger stars lack respect for these people that have been doing this for years and know what they do. I am on the fence about Clive going on with the pre grammy party after Whitney died but I understand his motives, people were already there and they wanted to congregate and remember Whitney and be close to her, I think that many of other execs would have dropped Whitney years ago after her decline but he stuck with her, and he did not have too, heck people backed away from Mike when he had his issues but he stuck by her and he continued to support her and tried to get her into rehab and to turn herself around by that point he had other blockbuster artist that were huge and he could have dumped her and moved on but he was loyal to her to the end and Whitney loved him which was obvious right up to the end when she walked onto that set that day before she died, so it’s easy for us to sit out here and point fingers but we really don’t know.

I’ve always had great respect for this young lady, she just took up a few notches. I’m so proud of Kelly of speaking her truth. I wish others would stand by their integrity and truth. Clive Davis is a star maker but so is Satan.